Computer Engineeringat University of Colorado Boulder
Graduates earn $86,211/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $959K; scenarios range from $735K to $1,018K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Colorado Boulder
At $86,211 per year, Computer Engineering graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn slightly above the $78,694 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 14.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 71% task exposure — and the 28% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $23,338 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #53 out of 174 programs, University of Colorado Boulder's Computer Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $86,211 to $107,650 shows 25% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Colorado Boulder's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Computer Engineering
How University of Colorado Boulder stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Colorado Boulder
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Colorado Boulder, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder
How does University of Colorado Boulder's Computer Engineering program score?
A score of 83/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Colorado Boulder's Computer Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 71% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.